Molding machine



Feb. 21, 1939. L. D. PLASSMEYER 2,148,132

MOLDING MACHINE Filed March 7, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 21, 1939. L. D. PLASSMEYER 2,148,132

MOLDING MACHINE Filed Mar ch 7, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 2 '1' fl V m 301 2/1 a 3.9

31 J7- z; 1 if v i Feb. 21, 1939.

L. D. PLASSMEYER MOLDING MACHINE Filed March '7, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet Z Patented Feb. 21, 1939 UNi'i' PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

My invention is an improvement in molding machines for foundry practice in which the sand, pattern and flask are subjected to a vibrating or jarring agitation, followed by a final compression of the sand. Such machines of different constructions are now in somewhat general use, of the types disclosed in prior patents of Ringle No. 1,054,315 and 1,803,406.

In general, such machines are provided with a reciprocably operating flask-supporting table actuated by a plunger or the like for limited up and weight compensation.

The present invention is designed to improve the machine in such features. It comprises a squeeze head so mounted and balanced as to be easily located and firmly held in either operative or inoperative relation to the plunger table, with a minimum of effort and holding efiiciency.

Referring to the drawings showing one preferred construction:

Fig. 1 is a view of the machine in side elevation showing the squeeze head in inoperative elevated position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the squeeze head lowered for operation;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial rear view of Fig. 2 showing the cantilever extension of the squeeze head, latch mechanism, and balancing springs;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line V--V of Fig. 2, from the rear; I

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5;

i Fig. 7 is a similar view on the line VII-VII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a detail view in part section elevation showing a supplemental filler block for the squeeze head;

Figs. 9 and 10 are similar views in side and end elevation respectively showing a modified construction of filler block.

The main frame or base 2 of the machine is mounted on a supporting stationary foundation,

oscillation or jarring of a flask-supporting plunger 5 having a terminal table or flask and pattern supporting plate 6, of well known construction.

Any suitable means, as an additional plunger, is ordinarily provided for final squeezing elevation of the flask 1, shown in dotted lines, upwardly towards the squeeze head 8, with an intervening follow board 9, as in Patent 1,054,314, supra.

The squeeze head or rammer 8 forms the outer front portion of a cantilever arm A which is pivctally mounted by cheek bearings it about midway on the cross pin or trunnion shaft ll. Lever A extends therebeyond for connection. by its rear terminal with the locking and guiding means, hereinafter described.

Extending upwardly from base 2 is a standard l4 and I5 respecpositioned.

A further object is to assist of the head after the squeezing prior to the next squeezing operation.

To these ends I utilize a pair of coiled springs l8 surrounding the shaft H and co-operating means adapted to exert torsionally applied pressure thereon to assist both raising and lowering movements, as above noted.

To effect such objects each disk l4 and i5 is provided with a fixed lug or abutment l9 engageable with the outer terminal of spring l8, and similar abutments 20, movable with the lever A, engage the other or inner spring terminals. It

Ill

(ill

pletion of Abutment 2|) is preferably mounted on a separate adjusting plate 2| journalled around each end portion of trunnion and held to lever A by a st screw 22 extending through annular slot 23.

By such construction, the plate 2| and its abutment may be annularly adjusted to regulate or modify the torsional resistance of either spring I8 to assist in determining the most effective spring action in operating the lever in either direction for most efficient counterbalancing.

In order to effect proper upward tilting of the lever A and its head 8 and also for positive locking of same when lowered, the machine is provided with a pair of spaced apart side plates 24.

Each of such plates has an arcuate eccentric slot 25 terminating in an outwardly off-set shouldered locking socket 25. each oppositely registering with the other.

Pivotally mounted on a cross pin 21 at the rear end of lever A is a pair of lever arms 28 having at their lower ends a cross pin or latch 29, the terminals of which are adapted to seat into sockets 26 and against shoulder a thereof, to firmly resist upward pressure on head 8, as in Fig. 2. Arms 28 are connected at their upper ends by cross pin 30 which is engaged by the end of connecting bar or link 3| of operating lever 32. Said lever is pivoted at 33 to a stud 34 at the inner upper portion of the head 8, and at 35 with the other end of bar 3|, and has a handle 36 for grasping, positioned at the front above the head.

By such means, assuming the ramming head 8 to be in the lowered position of Fig. 2 upon comcompression, lifting of lever 32 by handle 36 will effect disengagement of pin 29 from shoulder a, as shown by dotted lines. Such operation thrusts pin 29 inwardly in register with slots 25 which, acting as cams, cause the locking and unlocking mechanism to assume the position shown in Fig. 1 when the lever A is thus thrust upwardly and backwardly. Head 8, as elevated by lever A, is initially assisted by the torsional reaction of spring |B (left side of Fig. 5) for say half of its rising travel, after which the opposite spring i8 is torsionally energized by the opposite abutment 20.

The reacting energy thus developed, while insuflicient to itself effect reverse movement of lever A, greatly assists and reduces the otherwise necessary manual power in again bringing the head 8 downwardly towards the flask. For the last portion of such movement the gravitating tendency of the comparatively heavier head steadily increases and is largely but not entirely resisted by the next torsionally developed resistance of the opposite spring. Such resistance of course is then available in the form of stored power, and is of material assistance in the next elevation of the head, as described.

The head 8, as is apparent, thus assumes a unifermly fixed lowered position with relation to flasks of substantially uniform height, and when raised, is thrown backwardly entirely beyond and out of interference with subsequent flask removal or replacement. Wherever flasks of less or variable height are utilized, a filler block 31 of suitable depth may be secured to the head 8 in any available manner, as by a central bolt 38 extending upwardly through a boss 39 in the middle of the head, as in Fig. 8.

Any number of such filler blocks may be utilized, of such depth dimensions as to provide for compensating pressing face levels, to suit conditions arising in use.

I show in Figs. 9 and 10 a modified construction in which the filler block 310. is made comparatively shallow and is provided with means for locating the block at variable distances below the main head 3]. These consist of side arms 40 extending upwardly from the block at each side of the head having a plurality of bolt holes 4| for connection by transverse bolts 42 through the flanges thereof.

The central bolt 38a in such case is elongated as shown for adjustment of the block, facilitating accurate placement and tightening of bolts 42 in locating the block 31a. By such construction a single filler block may be used for different compression resistance levels when variable height flasks are used.

The construction and operation of the machine will be readily understood and appreciated from the foregoing description.

In either raising or lowering the springs I8 tend to counteract gravitation in all positions of the head, and by alternating storage of effective power, greatly assist manual operation in both directions. In lowering from erected position of the main lever the handle 36 is located closely toward the forward upper edge of head 8. When in final operating position, due to cam action of slots 25 elevating handle 36 to dotted line position of Fig. 2, the handle is raised sufficiently to allow by downward pressure for positive thrusting of the locking or latch pin in socket 26 and against shoulder a, for positive holding of the head against upwardly exerted sand-compressing forces, without displacement. This is because of the positive interlock effected and the final vertical position of the arms 28. In either lowering or raising of the head, handle 36 moves in general conformity and approximate close relation to the front of head 8.

It will be understood that the proportions of the machine and its parts may be varied or changed to suit different conditions of foundry practice or use of the invention. Also that it may be altered in detail construction by the skilled mechanic or builder, within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a molding machine as described provided with a flask, a lever having at one end a pressure resisting head engageable with the flask, a movement arresting latch pivoted at the other end of the lever, an intervening pivot mounting for the lever, a fixed holding bearing for the latch, engaging and disengaging means for the latch mounted on the lever having a grasping handle adjacent the head, and means coincident with the pivot mounting adapted to generate balancing resistance to the lever opposing its tilting movement in either direction.

2. In a molding machine as described provided with a flask, a lever having at one end a pressure resisting head engageable with the flask, a movement arresting latch at the other end, an intervening pivot mounting, a holding bearing for the latch, engaging and disengaging means for the latch, and means coincident with the pivot mounting adapted to generate balancing resistance against movement of the lever in either direction.

3. In combination with a molding machine flask, a pivoted lever having at opposite end portions a pressure resisting head engageable with the flask and a movable latch, manually operated means on the lever for moving the latch having a grasping handle adjacent the head, a fulcrum bearing for the lever, and supporting and guiding means for the latch.

4. In combination, with upper connecting terminal of the latch.

6. In a molding machine provided with a flask therefor, a lever-supporting journal bearing, a pair of side plates having guiding cam slots terminating in ofi-set latch supporting bearings, a lever a latch,

of said terminals when the tilted.

10. In combination with the tilting lever of a molding machine as described engageable with the inner terminal of one of said springs.

11. In combination with the tilting lever of a molding machine as described having a flasktending through the slot into the face of the lever.

LOUIS D. PLASSMEYER. 

